Crate.



Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

m.. wAsnmcmu. u. c

F. F. BENSON.'

CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. s', |918.

. .MFUMVMHRIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIII vm: :mM-Is reims ca. mow-Lm FRED F. BENSON, OF CHINOOK, MONTANA.

CRATE.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1919.

Application led March 5, 1918. Serial No. 220,540.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, FRED F. BENSON, a

vcitizen of the United States, residing at provides a box or crate which is formed of a stiffened material such as tin or sheet metal and covered with cloth or other suitable fabric to provide a cushioning edect to absorb shock or jar and superimposed layers or tiers of egg compartments arranged within the crate and a lid or closure removably positioned within the latter and capable of being adjustably secured in position.

A novel feature of the invention resides in the formation of separate egg compartments which consist of longitudinal partitions of stiffened material, such as tin or sheet iron and which extend the entire length between opposite walls of the crate to form a firm support for the upper tiers of egg compartments, the longitudinal partitions being covered with a suitable fabric and being connected. by short cloth partitions to form separate compartments, the latter artition being centrically creased so that t e longitudinal partitions may be compactly arranged one against the other when not in use.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a crate constructed in accorda-nce with the present invention; Y

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view illustrating one of the tiers or partitions empty and partly collapsed.

Referring to the drawings in detail the crate comprises a box or receptacle 10 preferably formed of tin, sheet iron or similar material. The bottom, side and end Walls of the receptacle may be integrally formed, or they may be separately formed and secured together by any desired means. It is preferred to surround the upper open edge of the box or receptacle With a bead 11 and to cover the box both inside and outside with a covering of cloth or other suitable fabric as shown at 12. In order to protect the outer cover of fabric and to further stiffen the box or crate, there is provided an outer casing 13 Which may be formed of the same material as the crate 10.

One of the points of novelty of the invention resides in the formation of partitions which form separate compartments for thel reception of eggs, these compartments being formed by longitudinal partitions 14, which include tin or sheet metal strips 15 and a cloth covering 16. The strips 15 are connected by short transverse partitions 17, which are centrally creased as shown at 18 and are formed of cloth or other suitable fabric and adapted to fold between the partitions 14 to permit of the latter being compactly folded against one of the Walls of the box or receptacle 1-0.

The partitions just described are designed to be arranged Withiny the box or receptacle in tiers and each tier is separately by a horizontal partition formed of a sheet of metal 19 and covered -with cloth 20. The cover or closure is adapted to be removably secured within the box or crate and like the horizontal partitions just described is formed of a sheet of metal 21, which is cloth covered as shown at 22. The closure carries bolts 23, which are adapted to engage vertically alined openings 24 provided in the walls of the box or crate, so that the said closure may accommodate partitions of different heights.

By forming the partitions 14 of a single length of stiifened material, a firm support is provided for the contents of the crate thereabove, so that in addition to being used for the shipment of eggs, the upper partitions may be removed and butter or othery commodities substituted, the weight being supported by the longitudinal partitions 14 so that danger to the eggs is avoided. In the use of the invention as just described the utility of the adjustable feature of the closure will be apparent, as it is necessary that the said closure be tightly adjusted to prevent any movement of the parts Within the crate.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is A crate embodying a box or receptacle including a bottom, side and end walls, each of which are covered upon their inner and outer surfaces with a cloth cushioning connecting the strips, horizontally arranged element, individual compartments arranged stiiened partitions between the tiers of in tiers Within said crate, said compartcompartments, a cloth cushioning element 10 ments being formed of longitudinally discovering Ythe partitions and a stilened adposed strips of stiifened material, a cloth justable cloth covered closure for the crate. cushioning element covering said strips, in-

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. tervening transversely vertical Webs of cloth FRED F. BENSON.

Copies of this patent may bve.ohcainedv f or ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1D. C. 

